Introduction: Extension of life expectancy coincides with increase of chronic non-infectious diseases. Among them dementia is one that gravely affects the life of the patient as well as his family members. Family members decide for domestic care predominantly due to love and connection to the caretaker. Taking care for a person with dementia is increasingly time consuming, due to the nature of the condition and it brings also developing physical and mental stress leading to burnout syndrome. Purpose: Purpose of this thesis was to explore which factor causes the highest and lowest level of strain on caregivers caring for a person with dementia in domestic environment. In additional influence of age, gender and family connection was considered. Methods: Data were obtained with an online survey The Modified Caregiver Strain Index, which consist of 13 gradable statements regarding impact of caregiving on physical, mental, time, financial and personal impact of the caregiver everyday life. For each statement, the caregiver evaluates their response on 3-point scale (often, sometimes and never). The answer often is assigned 2 points, the answer sometimes 1 point, and the answer never counts as 0 points. Results: There were 100 participants in the survey, 81% female and 19% male in the age range from 20 to 89 years. Participants in majority indicated, that change in the dynamic of their family environment presents the highest level of strain, as it one of the parameters that most certainly changes during domestic caregiving. Husbands, daughters and wives stand out as the most burdened groups according to the survey as well as the caregivers in the age range of 60-69. Results have also shown that gender does not influence the expressed level of constrain, as data did not show any statistical significant difference between various groups. Discussion and conclusion: Caregiving affects the caregiver life in more than one area. Level of burden depends from many factors e.g. caregivers’ character, period of caregiving and progress of dementia. During caregiving period some level of strain cannot be avoided, but can be reduced with sufficient information and expectations regarding the medical condition and obtaining support on time. Self-support for dementia caregiver is definitely an area for additional research and improvement within Slovenia.
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